Tomato prices to remain high, Twitter sees red

Tomato prices which have soared to Rs 80-100 per kg in retail markets across the country are likely to remain elevated for at least next two months.

An Indian labourer fills plastic crates with tomatoes before they are repacked to be sold at a wholesale fruit and vegetable market on the outskirts of Amritsar on June 16, 2016. Pic/AFP

Normally, prices of tomato firm up in the off-season of June-September every year, but the sharp increase in rates this time was mainly due to the damage caused to the rabi crop because of a severe drought in southern states. In the last 15 days, the rates have gone through the roof and the key vegetable is being sold at Rs 80-100 per kg by local vegetable vendors depending on the quality and locality.

Indian labourers fill plastic crates with tomatoes before they are repacked to be sold at a wholesale fruit and vegetable market on the outskirts of Amritsar. Pic/AFP

For instance, in the national capital, tomato is being sold at Rs 58 a kg at Mother Dairy's Safal outlets and Rs 80 at Godrej's Nature Basket. Online portal Bigbasket is selling tomato at Rs 55 in Delhi, Rs 70 in Kolkata, Rs 78 in Bangalore and Rs 79 in Chennai.

Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Odisha are the major tomato growing states.

Graphics/PTI

On Wednesday, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan had said the rise in tomato prices was a 'seasonal factor' and the commodity cannot be procured using the Price Stabilisation Fund due to short-shelf life of the key vegetable.

The government is procuring pulses and onion to create a buffer stock to be used for controlling prices by boosting supply in the open market at a cheaper rate.